inspection cameras

[Jupiter01]

I am in the market for one of these phone-connected cameras that you can send down nooks and crannies to see what's going on. I can see it being useful to look above ceilings when fishing cables and various plumbing scenarios, including the current one, where I want to inspect a downpipe for any blockages, etc.

Is this something you guys use and could recommend please?

 

[blup]

I got a cheap chineese no name from amazon (depstech?), which works well with an iphone. Getting the orientation right so you know which way the camera is pointing takes a bit of getting used to, and it really helps to get light inside the nook or cranny, although it comes with an adjustable beam

 

[Iwilldoit]

I also have an amazon cheap "special" Chinese one which works fine. Cheap enough to only use every now and then. I put a bit of white insulation tape on the top to at least start the orientation the right way up.
I think it was one that loads of sellers sell but all with different names. Basically the same product.

 

[^woody^]

I do inspections almost daily, have done for decades, and I can say I've never had the need for one of these cameras.

 

[lostinthelight]

You'd have to lay off the doughnuts to get where I send mine

 

[Iwilldoit]

I do inspections almost daily, have done for decades, and I can say I've never had the need for one of these cameras.

That is because you are a professional. And or dont mind knocking out a big hole to get your eyeball in - and a torch. Mine is supposed to be waterproof so can inspect water pipes. It is semi stiff so can be pushed in to spaces but I find it better to attach a piece of wire or a dowel for easier control. Cheap enough to buy - may as well have one in your kit, its one of those things that you hardly ever use in a DIY situation but when you need it its very useful. You can also take snapshots of the view for closer inspection. Last time I used mine was to read a code number off an internal oven fan.

 

[Iwilldoit]

You'd have to lay off the doughnuts to get where I send mine

A warning - in case you are curious - the camera gets quite hot due to the led lights on the end - I found out the hard way

 

[lostinthelight]

A warning - in case you are curious - the camera gets quite hot due to the led lights on the end - I found out the hard way

 

[lostinthelight]

That is because you are a professional. And or dont mind knocking out a big hole to get your eyeball in - and a torch. Mine is supposed to be waterproof so can inspect water pipes. It is semi stiff so can be pushed in to spaces but I find it better to attach a piece of wire or a dowel for easier control. Cheap enough to buy - may as well have one in your kit, its one of those things that you hardly ever use in a DIY situation but when you need it its very useful. You can also take snapshots of the view for closer inspection. Last time I used mine was to read a code number off an internal oven fan.

If I need probe a bit more rigid I shove it down a length of pex tube with the camera level with the end and if thats down a drain pipe I bore holes either side of a tennis ball and shove the pex through it so it keeps the lens up out of the wet

 

[Jupiter01]

I do inspections almost daily, have done for decades, and I can say I've never had the need for one of these cameras.

How would you inspect a drain/sewer line underground?

 

[^woody^]

How would you inspect a drain/sewer line underground?

Thats a specialist CCTV survey! Not a little camera on your phone